Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COATED SCRUBBING DEVICE WITH A PROTECTIVE HANDLE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
This application claims priority to the previously filed United States of
America Utility Patent Application titled SCRUBBING DEVICE WITH A
PROTECTIVE HANDLE, with an application filing date of December 26, 2016,
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Application Number
15/390,644, which claimed priority to the previously filed United States of
America Patent Application titled PROTECTIVE HANDLE FOR A SCRUBBING
DEVICE, with an application filing date of April 10, 2015, in the United
States
Patent and Trademark Office, Application Number 14/684,263, issued as US
Patent Number 9,526,392.
This is a substitute specification: a marked-up specification is
submitted herewith identifying the new material in this continuation-in-part
application.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
20 This invention relates to a coated scrubbing device with a
protective
handle and a coating material which coats the entire scrubbing device.
There are a wide variety of commercially available scrubbing devices
on the market. These scrubbing devices are used to scrub and clean
everything from dishes, floors, sinks and household surfaces to more
25 industrial applications such as gasoline and diesel engines. Moreover,
these
scrubbing devices can be used for cosmetic or personal care purposes such
as skin exfoliation, back scratching and to clean other body parts. These
scrubbing devices can also be used for light to heavy industrial purposes
such as sanding wood or drywall or finishing the surfaces of metals, plastics,
30 ceramics or other materials.
In cleaning any surface, generally, force ranging from mild to vigorous
pressure must be applied to the scrubbing device in order to effectively
scrub, sand or finish. However, scrubbing, sanding or finishing a surface
usually exposes the fingernails, knuckles and digits to the surface and other
35 elements in the external environment. The force and speed of the back
and
forth and/or circular movement can cause damage or injury to the
fingernails, knuckles and digits. Depending on the use, the back and forth
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and/or circular movement can expose the fingernails, knuckles and digits to
potential sharp or dangerous surfaces or conditions and potential injury.
40 Also, in the case of cosmetic or personal hygiene purposes, the user's
fingernails can cause damage to the body part that is being cleaned or where
makeup is being applied. A coated scrubbing device with a protective handle
that protects the fingernails, knuckles, digits and other body parts during
use is a useful invention.
45 A scrubbing device is generally necessary on a daily basis to bathe,
do
dishes, scrub floors and complete other routine household, industrial or
personal hygiene tasks. A manicure can cost hundreds of dollars and can be
easily ruined by the back and forth motion and/or circular motion of
scrubbing dishes, cleaning engines or bathing. Also, external elements,
50 sharp objects and unintentional contact can break fingernails and ruin a
manicure. A coated scrubbing device with a protective handle that allows the
manicured fingernails to be protected and concealed during use is a useful
invention.
A scrubbing device is useful for cleaning automobile engines, sanding
55 or finishing surfaces or other industrial purposes. However, when using
a
scrubbing device to clean, sand or finish for industrial purposes, the digits,
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nails and knuckles are exposed to sharp or other potentially harmful
surfaces. A coated scrubbing device with a protective handle that protects
and conceals the nails, knuckles and digits from harm during use is a useful
60 invention.
Currently, gloves exist that are used to protect and conceal the
fingernails, knuckles and digits during use. However, these gloves are made
of latex or other synthetic materials that can cause allergic reactions in the
user. These gloves also provide limited protection and concealment from
65 external elements and can be punctured by sharp objects. A coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle that allows the fingernails,
knuckles and digits to be protected and concealed during use without the
problems caused by gloves is a useful invention.
There are scrubbing devices on the market with handles. However,
70 these handles tend to be rigid and unbending and serve more to aid in
gripping than to protect and conceal the fingernails, knuckles and digits
during use. A coated scrubbing device that has a protective and flexible
handle that is adjustable to aid in protection and concealment during use is
a useful invention.
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=
75 Scrubbing devices on the market have their core materials partially
or
completely open to the environment. This allows liquids and dust to enter
their structure, making them hard to clean and allowing for the growth of
bacteria, mold, and other potential pathogens. A scrubbing device which is
completely coated with a coating material to prevent this is a useful
80 invention.
Scrubbing devices on the market with their core materials partially or
completely open to the environment can snag, tear, break, or otherwise lose
structural integrity when encountering hazards in the environment. A
scrubbing device which is completely coated with a coating material to
85 protect its core material and extend its useful life is a useful
invention.
Furthermore, scrubbing devices on the market made of various kinds
of foams have a useful and familiar texture for users, but are subject to the
problems already described. A scrubbing device which is completely coated
with a coating material to protect its core material and extend its useful
life
90 but with a similar texture to uncoated scrubbing devices is a
useful
invention.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
95 Among the many objectives of the present invention is the provision of
a coated scrubbing device with a protective handle where the handle is
flexible.
Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a
coated scrubbing device with a protective handle where the handle is of
100 sufficient length to protect and conceal the nails, knuckles and digits
during
use.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle where the handle can be rolled to
cover the fingernails, knuckles and digits during use.
105 Moreover, another objective of the present invention is the provision
of a coated scrubbing device with a protective handle where the coated
scrubbing device base can be used as a handle and the protective handle can
be used as a coated scrubbing device to clean in between tight surfaces.
A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a
11 0 coated scrubbing device with a protective handle where the coated
scrubbing
device base can have an attached layer of abrasive or scouring material to
allow the coated scrubbing device to scour tough surfaces.
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Also, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle where the coated scrubbing device
115 base can have an attached abrasive, scouring or finishing material to
allow
the coated scrubbing device to sand or finish wood or other hard surfaces.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle which has an edge cleaning
position so that the base of the coated scrubbing device and the protective
120 handle can be used to clean the surface and edge of an object
simultaneously.
Moreover, an objective of the present invention is the provision of a
coated scrubbing device with a protective handle which has a protective
handle which has enough rigidity to control movement of the coated
125 scrubbing device over an object or surface.
A still further objective of the present invention is the provision of a
coated scrubbing device with a protective handle which has a protective
handle which is bendable in either lateral direction so that a right-handed
and left-handed user can easily use the coated scrubbing device.
130 Yet, another objective of the present invention is the provision of
a
coated scrubbing device with a protective handle where the coated scrubbing
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device is useful for cosmetic or personal care purposes to protect the user's
body from accidental harm from the fingernails when scrubbing body parts.
Another objective of the current invention is to provide a coated
135 scrubbing device which is entirely coated with a coating material to
protect
its core material from contamination and help to preserve its integrity.
Yet another objective of the current invention is to provide a coated
scrubbing device which can accept accessory pads to allow it to perform a
variety of scrubbing and/or scouring tasks.
140 Another objective of the present current invention is to provide a
coated scrubbing device where the coating material impregnates the
scrubbing device, providing a coated scrubbing device with a similar surface
texture to a non-coated scrubbing device
These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives
145 become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings
as a
whole) are met by providing a coated scrubbing device with a protective
handle which is flexible yet protective and can accept accessory pads.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
150 Figure 1 depicts a top perspective view of the coated scrubbing
device
with a protective handle of this invention, with the coating material in
partial
cut away to reveal the interior foam material.
Figure 2 depicts a bottom perspective view of the coated scrubbing
device with a protective handle of this invention.
155 Figure 3 depicts a top perspective view of the coated scrubbing
device
with a protective handle in protective position with the hand of the user
depicted in phantom and the protective handle partially depicted in
phantom.
Figure 4 depicts a side plan view of the coated scrubbing device with a
160
protective handle in protective position with the hand of the user depicted in
phantom.
Figure 5 depicts an inverted perspective view of the coated scrubbing
device with a protective handle in crevice cleaning position with the hand of
the user and the surface depicted in phantom.
165 Figure 6 depicts a top perspective view of the coated scrubbing
device
with a protective handle in second protective position with the hand of the
user and the surface depicted in phantom.
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Figure 7 depicts a side plan view of the coated scrubbing device with a
protective handle with left or right lateral movement of protective handle
170 depicted in phantom.
Figure 8 depicts a top perspective view of the coated scrubbing device
with a protective handle in edge scrubbing position 114 with the hand of the
user and the surface 130 depicted in phantom.
Figure 9 depicts a bottom, exploded perspective view of the coated
175 scrubbing device with a protective handle with accessory pad.
Figure 10 depicts a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment
of the coated scrubbing device with a protective handle of this invention.
Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears
in one or more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied
180 thereto.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the
invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever
185 possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the
drawings
and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings
are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of
convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left,
right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear and front, may be used with
190 respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms are not to
be
construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words
attach, connect, couple and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes
do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also
include connections through mediate elements or devices.
195 A coated scrubbing device with a protective handle is provided. The
protective handle and coated scrubbing device can be a unitary piece. Also,
the protective handle can be a separate piece and attached to the coated
scrubbing device through glue, fusion by heating, or any other suitable
fastener or attachment method. The protective handle is a flexible handle.
200 The protective handle is flexible and bendable in either lateral
direction. The
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user grips the protective handle and rolls it over their fingernails, digits,
upper knuckles and lower knuckles and tucks their thumb either behind or in
front of the handle. The user can then use the coated scrubbing device on a
multitude of surfaces and reduce or prevent damage to their digits, knuckles
205 and fingernails.
A surface suitable for scrubbing is intended to remove material
present on the surface of the object to be scrubbed without significantly
abrading or scratching the surface of the object to be scrubbed or removing
more than minor amounts of material comprising the object to be cleaned.
210 Material affixed to the base which is meant to provide a surface
suitable for
scrubbing forms a scrubbing material.
A surface suitable for scouring is intended to remove material which
has chemically or physically bonded with the surface of the object to be
scrubbed and will significantly abrade, scratch or remove more than minor
215 amounts of material from the object to be cleaned. Material affixed to
the
base which is meant to provide a surface suitable for scouring forms a
scouring material.
An accessory pad is a pad which can be attached to one or more
planar surfaces of the coated scrubbing device. The coated scrubbing device
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220 can have one or more accessory pads suitable for scrubbing. The coated
scrubbing device can have one or more accessory pads suitable for scouring.
The coated scrubbing device can have one or more accessory pads suitable
for scrubbing and one or more accessory pads suitable for scouring at the
same time. An accessory pad affixed to the base which is meant to provide a
225 surface suitable for scrubbing comprises a scrubbing pad. An accessory
pad
affixed to the base which is meant to provide a surface suitable for scouring
comprises a scouring pad.
A scrubbing pad or a scouring pad can be a multitude of different
products. The scrubbing or scouring pad can be a loofah, pumice stone or a
230 natural sea sponge for cosmetic or personal care purposes. The scouring
pad can be a sponge, steel wool or abrasive pad for household cleaning
purposes. The scouring pad can be copper wool, steel wool or an abrasive
impregnated fabric for industrial purposes. A scouring pad can comprise
sandpaper, steel wool, steel screen or abrasives attached to the coated
235 scrubbing device for dry walling or carpentry purposes. The coated
scrubbing device can be composed of silicone scrubbing materials or have a
scrubbing or scouring pad affixed. The coated scrubbing device can be
composed of and/or have a (cellular) poly-ether, poly-ester or silicone foam
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material with closed cells, open cells, or a combination of both open and
240 closed cells affixed as a scrubbing or scouring pad. This disclosure is
meant
to be exemplary of suitable coated scrubbing devices but is not meant to
limit the coated scrubbing devices to these examples and any suitable
coated scrubbing device for any suitable purpose is included in and
encompassed by this disclosure. The foregoing notwithstanding and as will
245 be detailed later in the disclosure, to practice the invention in a
configuration
where the coated scrubbing device has a texture substantially similar to the
uncoated scrubbing device, it is required that the coating material be
silicone, the coating material be used to impregnate a coating device formed
of open-cell foam, and is strongly preferred that the scrubbing device be
250 formed of a poly-ester or poly-ether open-cell foam.
The coated scrubbing device can be made of any suitable material. The
material of the coated scrubbing device can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
The coated scrubbing device can be made of synthetic materials such as
cellulose or cellulose wood fibers, foamed plastic polymers, open-cell or
255 closed-cell foam materials, open-cell mixed with closed-cell foam
materials,
silicone foam, polyurethane foam, expanded polypropylene foam, expanded
polyethylene foam, melamine foam, a low-density polyether, a polyvinyl
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alcohol, polyethylene or a plastic or plastic composite. The coated scrubbing
device can be made of thermochromic polyurethane foam or polyurethane
260 foam or thermochromic foam. The coated scrubbing device can be made of
a
foam or sponge material that is more rigid and less flexible at lower
temperatures and less rigid and more flexible at higher temperatures. The
coated scrubbing device can be made of a reticulated foam material. This
disclosure is meant to be exemplary of suitable materials for the coated
265 scrubbing device but is not meant to limit the materials to these
examples
and any suitable material is included in and encompassed by this disclosure.
The protective handle can be made of any suitable material. The
material of the protective handle can be the same material as the coated
scrubbing device or the protective handle can be made of a different material
270 than the coated scrubbing device.
The protective handle must be made of a material that is flexible,
malleable and bendable and can be gripped and rolled down over the
fingernails, knuckles and digits of the user with the thumb tucked either in
front of or behind the handle. Protective handles being flexible, malleable
275 and bendable in this manner, for purposes of this application, are
referred to
as "rollable." While human hands come in a range of sizes and have a range
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of mobility, for a protective handle to be rollable as used herein requires
that
the protective handle be flexible enough that the average human being can
roll the protective handle sufficiently to protect their fingernails,
knuckles,
280 and digits as described herein without requiring undue force, causing
discomfort or distending the coated scrubbing device to the point where it
cannot be efficiently used as described herein.
The material must also be rigid enough to allow the protective handle
to control the direction of the coated scrubbing device during use. The
285 material must also be strong and durable enough to protect and conceal
the
fingernails, knuckles and digits of a user from the back and forth and/or
circular motion of scrubbing and contact with sharp objects and other
dangerous factors in the external environment. However, the material must
not be too abrasive or rough as to harm the user's fingernails, knuckles or
290 digits during use or suitable optional attachments must be used for
protection. This disclosure is meant to be exemplary of suitable materials for
the protective handle but is not meant to limit the materials to these
examples and any suitable material is included in and encompassed by this
disclosure.
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295 The coated scrubbing device can be the rectangular coated scrubbing
device as seen in the accompanying drawings. However, the coated
scrubbing device can vary in shape and size depending on the purpose for
which it is used. A smaller and round coated scrubbing device may be used
for personal hygiene or cosmetic uses. A triangular shaped coated scrubbing
300 device may be used for detail work or scrubbing or sanding. The coated
scrubbing device may be a square, a wedge or a polygon for suitable
situations. A larger coated scrubbing device may be used for industrial
purposes while a smaller coated scrubbing device may be used for
household or cosmetic purposes. This disclosure is meant to be exemplary
305 of suitable shapes and sizes for the coated scrubbing device but is not
meant to limit the shape or size to these examples and any suitable shape or
size is included in and encompassed by this disclosure.
The protective handle can be any shape or size to fit the underlying
coated scrubbing device as long as the handle is long enough to be rolled to
310 protect the fingernails, knuckles and digits of the user during use.
Protective
handles having a handle length long enough to be rolled in this manner, for
purposes of this application, are referred to as having an "extended handle
length." While human hands come in a range of sizes, an extended handle
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length as used herein requires that the average human being can roll the
315 protective handle sufficiently to protect their fingernails, knuckles
and digits
as described herein.
In the embodiments depicted, the coated scrubbing device is shown as
being used with one hand. However, for larger coated scrubbing devices, the
protective handle may be large enough to accommodate and protect both
320 hands during use. The two handed protective handle functions in the
same
manner as depicted below in the drawings with the user placing both hands
over the handle and rolling it downward and tucking their thumbs behind the
handle for protection.
It is required that the entire coated scrubbing device be coated with a
325 coating material. The coating material can comprise natural or
synthetic
rubber, silicone, or any other suitable material. It is required that the
coating
material be flexible enough that the protective handle can be flexed as
described below. It is optional that the coating material comprise different
thicknesses of coating material on different parts of the coated scrubbing
330 device. It is required that the coating material be uniform in material
composition over the entire surface of the coated scrubbing device. It is
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optional to impregnate a portion of the coating material which coats the
base with a scrubbing or scouring material.
The coating material can be a post-mold spray-applicated coating
335 (also referred to as a protective coating,) molded onto the coated
scrubbing
device, applied to the coated scrubbing device via a dip or drench, or by any
other reasonable means. The coating material can be, without limitation,
vinyl based, polyurethane based, acrylic based, or silicone based. One
example of a suitable coating is available under the trade name Performix
340 and can be purchased at https://performixcoatings.com/foam-coatings.
Performix is a registered United States trademark, Registration Number
2,520,833, owned by Plasti Dip International, Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the state of Minnesota, 3760 Flowerfield Road, Circle
Pines, Minnesota, 55014. This disclosure is meant to be exemplary of
345 suitable materials for the coating material but is not meant to limit
the
materials to these examples and any material is included in and
encompassed by this disclosure.
Now adding Figure 1 and Figure 2 to the consideration, a coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle of this invention can be clearly
350 seen. Coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 100 has
protective
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handle 104 attached to base 102. Protective handle 104 is in extended
position 132. Base 102 can be any desired shape, size or thickness. For
purposes of this application, the protective handle 104 is said to be in an
"extended position" when it is in its usual shape prior to any movement,
355 bending or rolling by the user.
Exposed base material 102a and exposed handle material 104a are
shown in cutaway for illustration in Figure 1: in the preferred embodiment,
coating material 101 coats the entire coated scrubbing device with a
protective handle 100 as shown in Figure 2.
360 Now adding Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 6 to the consideration,
the
protective positions 110 and 111 of protective handle 104 can be clearly
seen. Protective handle 104 is a flexible and bendable material as is coating
material 101. Protective handle 104, including that portion of coating
material 101 which coats it, can be gripped by the user and rolled downward
365 providing a protective and concealment barrier for the fingernails,
knuckles
and digits of the user. For purposes of this application, the protective
handle
104 is said to be in a "protective position" when it has been rolled around
the digits of the user in such a manner as to substantially shield the
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fingernails and/or knuckles of the user from contact with the material to be
370 scrubbed and/or the debris from the scrubbing process.
The length of protective handle 104 is an important feature of the
invention. Protective handle 104 must be of sufficient extended length 124
(not shown, see Figure 7) to allow a user with any hand size to grip handle
104 and roll it downward and still have the fingernails, knuckles and digits
375 protected and concealed by handle 104 during use. In the preferred
embodiment, the extended length 124 of protective handle 104 is 1.27
centimeters (0.5 inches) to 25.4 centimeters (10 inches). In a more preferred
embodiment, the extended length 124 of protective handle 104 is 5.08
centimeters (2 inches) to 20.32 centimeters (8 inches). In the most preferred
380 embodiment, the extended length 124 of protective handle 104 is 7.62
centimeters (3 inches) to 12.7 centimeters (5 inches).
In a first embodiment of protective position 110, as seen in Figure 3,
the user grips the protective handle 104 by placing the second, third, fourth
and fifth digits in front of the protective handle 104. The user then rolls
the
385 protective handle 104 downward and wraps the first digit around a side
of
the handle 104 and then places it underneath the second digit for
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protection. Protective handle 104, in protective position 110, then protects
and conceals the nails, knuckles and digits of all five digits during use.
In a second embodiment of protective position 111, as seen in Figure
390 6, the user grips the protective handle 104 by placing the second,
third,
fourth and fifth digits in front of the protective handle 104. The user then
rolls the handle 104 downward and places the first digit or thumb beneath
the protective handle 104 thereby protecting and concealing the nails,
knuckles and digits of all five digits during use. The only difference between
395 Figure 3 and protective position 110 and Figure 6 and second protective
position 111 is the placement of the first digit.
Now adding Figure 5 to the consideration, the crevice cleaning
position 112 of coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 100 can be
seen. Base 102 can be used to grip while protective handle 104 can be used
400 to clean. This feature is especially useful when coated scrubbing device
with
a protective handle 100 is being used to clean a tight place such as crevices
between two surfaces 130. An example of this can be a space between a
kitchen appliance, such as a stove, and a counter. Other examples can be for
cleaning between spaced wooden or plastic slats of lawn or outdoor furniture
405 and indoor furniture, grill grates, sewer grates, shower grates,
drainage
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grates, louvers or slats in vertical or horizontal blinds, the lower frame of
a
sliding patio door and toilet bowls. For purposes of this application, the
protective handle 104 is said to be in a "crevice cleaning position" when the
user is gripping base 102 and using protective handle 104 to scrub a
410 surface. If using the device 100 in a crevice cleaning position, it is
required
that protective handle 104 either be impregnated with a scrubbing or
scouring material, or that an accessory pad (see Figure 9) be attached to at
least one planar surface of protective handle 104. It is strongly preferred
that a detachable accessory pad be used so that when the device is not being
415 used in a crevice cleaning position, it can be removed to maximize the
usability of the protective handle.
Now adding Figure 7 to the consideration, right or left lateral
movement 126 of protective handle 104 can be clearly seen. Protective
handle 104 has lateral movement 126 in either the right or left direction.
420 Right or left lateral movement 126 is important to allow a user that is
either
right-handed or left-handed to grip protective handle 104 and place it in
protective positions 110 or 111. (Not shown: see Figures 3 and 6.) Thus,
right or left lateral movement 126 allows a user that is either right-handed
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or left-handed to comfortably grip protective handle 104 and apply the
425 proper force to base 102 to effectively scrub the desired surface.
Now adding Figure 8 to the consideration, edge scrubbing position
114 of coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 1 00 can be clearly
seen. In edge scrubbing position 114, the top or bottom and edge of a
surface or object can be cleaned simultaneously. For purposes of this
430 application, the protective handle 104 is said to be in an "edge
cleaning
position" when the user is gripping base 102 by either the right side or the
left side of the base 102 and using protective handle 104, and the side of
base 102 which is not being gripped, to scrub a surface 130 having at least
two sides with an edge between them. Thus, the angle between protective
435 handle 104 and the side of base 102 which is not being gripped is in
contact
with the edge of the surface 130. If using the device in an edge scrubbing
position 11 4, it is required that base 1 02 be rollable as described herein.
If using the device 1 00 in an edge cleaning position, it is required that
protective handle 104 and the upper surface of base 102 either be
440 impregnated with a scrubbing or scouring material, or that an accessory
pad
(see Figure 9) be attached to at least one planar surface of protective handle
104 and to the upper surface of base 104 tangent to it. It is strongly
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preferred that detachable accessory pads be used so that when the device is
not being used in an edge cleaning position, they can be removed to
445 maximize the usability of the protective handle.
In edge scrubbing position 114, the user grips either a right side or a
left side of base 102, placing the edge of the surface to be cleaned at or
near
the junction of the top side of base 102 and the right side or the left side
of
protective handle 104. The user then folds the protective handle 104 over
450 the side opposite to the gripped side of the base 102. Thus, if the
user grips
the right side of base 102, protective handle 104 is folded toward the left
side of base 102 and if the user grips the left side of base 102, protective
handle 104 is folded toward the right side of base 102. Once gripped, the
user then compresses the top and bottom surface of the object to be cleaned
455 while moving the right side or left side of base 102 and the right side
or left
side of protective handle 104 laterally or circularly along all surfaces of
the
object to be cleaned. If the right or left side of protective handle 104 and
the
facing side of base 102 are equipped with a scouring surface or a scouring
pad, this will also allow the creation of symmetrically finished edge surfaces
460 on the object to be cleaned and/or abraded.
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Now referring to Figure 9, an additional embodiment of the coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle can be clearly seen. In this
embodiment, coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 100 is able to
scrub or scour an object or a surface. In this embodiment, base 102 has
465 bottom surface 1 06 which has an accessory pad 108. Accessory pad 108
can
be a scrubbing pad or a scouring pad. Accessory pad 108 allows base 102 to
be used for scrubbing or scouring objects which may require a scrubbing or
scouring pad with different qualities than the coating material 101 which
completely coats the coated scrubbing device and/or any materials which
470 may be impregnated into coating material 1 01.
Coating material 101 can be a post-mold spray-applicated coating
(also referred to as a protective coating,) molded onto the coated scrubbing
device, applied to the coated scrubbing device via a dip or drench, or by any
other reasonable means. The coating material can be, without limitation vinyl
475 based, polyurethane based, acrylic based, or silicone based. One
example of
a suitable coating is available under the trade name Performix and can be
purchased at https://performixcoatings.com/foam-coatings. Performix is a
registered United States trademark, Registration Number 2,520,833, owned
by Plasti Dip International, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
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,
480 the state of Minnesota, 3760 Flowerfield Road, Circle Pines,
Minnesota,
55014. This disclosure is meant to be exemplary of suitable materials for
coating material 101 but is not meant to limit the materials to these
examples and any material is included in and encompassed by this
disclosure.
485 Accessory pad 108 can be attached to base 102 and protective handle
104 through any suitable method. Some examples of suitable attachment
methods for accessory pad 108 include adhesives, a hook and loop
assembly, thermal bonding or any other suitable method for providing a
secure and stable attachment. This disclosure is meant to be exemplary of
490 suitable attachment methods to attach accessory pad 108 to base 102
but is
not meant to limit the materials to these examples and any suitable
attachment method for providing a secure and stable method is included in
and encompassed by this disclosure.
An accessory pad can also be attached to base 102 by attaching it to
495 either of the upper surfaces, or to protective handle 104 by
applying it to the
right side, the left side, or any edge of it. The means and methods for
attaching and using an accessory pad with the upper surfaces of base 102
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,
protective handle 104 are identical to those for attaching and using an
accessory pad with base 102.
500 Figure 10 applies the principle of the invention to an alternate
embodiment. Here, instead of coating the exterior of the scrubbing device,
the coating material is impregnated into the cellular structure of the device,
coating most or all of its individual cells with the coating material. For
this
embodiment, it is required that the coating material be silicone and that the
505 scrubbing device be made of an open-cell foam. It is strongly
preferred that
the scrubbing device be made of a poly-ether or poly-ester foam.
Coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 1000, has protective
handle 1004 attached to base 1002. Protective handle 1004 is in extended
position 1032. Base 1002 can be any desired shape, size or thickness. For
510 purposes of this application, the protective handle 1 004 is said
to be in an
"extended position" when it is in its usual shape prior to any movement,
bending or rolling by the user. Coating material 1001 coats the entire coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle 1000. As opposed to prior
described embodiments, coated scrubbing device with a protective handle
515 1000 retains the texture of the open-cell poly-ether or poly-ester
foam from
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which it was formed, which enhances its scrubbing capabilities, but gains the
benefit of the coating material 1001 to extend its durability and lifespan.
To create this embodiment, coated scrubbing device with a protective
handle 1000 is formed of an open-cell foam, preferably a poly-ether or a
520 poly-ester foam, and then coating material 1001 is forced into the
cellular
structure under sufficient pressure to impregnate the cells of the open-cell
foam.
In use, it will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill that Coated
scrubbing device with a protective handle 1000 can be used in the same
525 ways and configurations described in Figures 3 through 1 O. If desired,
the
coated scrubbing device with a protective handle 1000 could be formed
using a combination of the configuration shown in Figure 10 and the
configuration shown in Figure 1, wherein protective handle 1004 is coated
smoothly and base 1002 is impregnated with coating material, vice versa, or
530 any combination. For example, the vertical sides of protective handle
1004
and the upper horizontal sides of base 1002 could be smoothly coated, to
provide the maximum comfort, protection and cleanliness to the user's
fingers and fingernails where they are most likely to contact coated
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scrubbing device with a protective handle 1000, but all other surfaces could
535 be impregnated with the coating material for maximum scrubbing
efficiency.
This application -- taken as a whole with the abstract, specification,
claims, and drawings -- provides sufficient information for a person having
ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention disclosed and claimed
herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the
540 skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person
has made a
careful study of this disclosure.
Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure,
modification of this tool can become clear to a person having ordinary skill
in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this
545 disclosure.
What is claimed and sought to be protected by Letters Patent is:
CA 3048235 2019-06-28
