Cleaning product for storing and attaching cleaning blocks or wipes

• US 20060000043A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Velazquez, Herb Flores, Lindsay, Jeffrey Dean, Jou-Chen, Fung
• Application Number:
  US10/884,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20060000043A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/16 Cloths; Pads; Sponges metal scraping sponges A47L13/07
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/51 Storing of cleaning tools, e.g. containers therefor

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and attaching cleaning wipes or cleaning blocks is provided. The apparatus includes a container configured for holding at least one cleaning wipe or block. The container has a body with an attaching surface. An attachment mechanism is included and is configured for attaching the cleaning wipe or block to the attaching surface for use in a cleaning procedure. The container is capable of being grasped to aid in positioning of the cleaning wipe or block during the cleaning procedure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing and attaching cleaning wipes, comprising:

a container having a body defining an interior space configured for storing a plurality of cleaning wipes, the body having an attaching surface, the container having a lid to allow and prevent access through the body to the interior space; and

an attachment mechanism configured for attaching a cleaning wipe to the attaching surface such that the container acts as a handle for use in applying the cleaning wipe to a surface.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is completely removed from the body when opened, and wherein the lid is attached to the body when closed.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is contiguous with the body when both opened and closed.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the body and is pivoted with respect to the body in order to open and close.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is in sliding engagement with the body such that the lid is slid in order to open and close.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid includes at least one flexible flap configured to flex upon the application of a force in order to open and to return to the closed position when the force is removed.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is snap-fit onto the body when closed.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid is attached to the body with a hook and loop type fastener when closed.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attaching surface is flat.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid forms a watertight seal when closed to prevent liquid from escaping or entering the interior space.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body defines a depression configured for receiving the hand of a user to aid in gripping of the container.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container is configured for storing an active ingredient.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the container includes a biosensor for use in monitoring analytes.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured for allowing the cleaning wipe to be removed from attachment with the attaching surface.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a spray mechanism attached to the body, wherein the spray mechanism is configured for dispensing a fluid.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is an adhesive.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is a hook and loop type fastener in which either the hook or the loop elements are attached to the attaching surface and the other of the hook or the loop elements is attached to the cleaning wipes.

18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a gecko-type fastener, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a mechanical fastener, a foam adhesive element, and a magnetic fastener.

19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cleaning wipes configured to be stored in the interior space and configured to be attached to the attaching surface, wherein the cleaning wipes comprising a melamine-based foam configured for contacting and cleaning a surface to be cleaned and a web attached to the melamine-based foam, wherein the web is contiguous with the attaching surface when the cleaning wipe is attached to the attaching surface.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attaching surface has a non-rectangular shape.

21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 20, further comprising a plurality of cleaning wipes having a non-rectangular shape adapted for attachment to the non-rectangular attaching surface.

22. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body has a rounded end and a substantially pointed end.

23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body has a first rounded end and a second rounded end, wherein the radius of curvature of the first rounded end is substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the second rounded end.

24. An apparatus for storing and attaching cleaning wipes, comprising:

a container configured for holding at least one cleaning wipe, the container having a body with an attaching surface; and

an attachment mechanism configured for attaching a cleaning wipe to the attaching surface for use in a cleaning procedure, wherein the container is capable of being grasped to aid in positioning of the cleaning wipe during a cleaning procedure.

25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the body has a spine configured for removable attachment with at least one cleaning wipe.

26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the container has a handle connected to the body.

27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the body defines an interior space for use in holding the cleaning wipe, and further comprising a lid configured to be opened and closed in order to allow and prevent access through the body to the interior space.

28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attaching surface is flat.

29. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the body defines a depression configured for receiving the hand of a user to aid in grasping of the container.

30. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the container is configured for holding an active ingredient.

31. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the container includes a biosensor for use in monitoring analytes.

32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured for allowing the cleaning wipe to be removed from attachment with the attaching surface.

33. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a spray mechanism attached to the body, wherein the spray mechanism is configured for dispensing a fluid.

34. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attachment mechanism is an adhesive.

35. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attachment mechanism is a hook and loop type fastener in which either the hook or the loop elements are attached to the attaching surface and the other of the hook or the loop elements is attached to the cleaning wipes.

36. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attachment mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a gecko-type fastener, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a mechanical fastener, a foam adhesive element, and a magnetic fastener.

37. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, further comprising a plurality of cleaning wipes configured to be held by the container and configured to be attached to the attaching surface, wherein the cleaning wipes comprising a melamine-based foam configured for contacting and cleaning a surface to be cleaned and a web attached to the melamine-based foam, wherein the web is contiguous with the attaching surface when the cleaning wipe is attached to the attaching surface.

38. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the attaching surface has a non-rectangular shape.

39. The apparatus as set forth in claim 38, further comprising a plurality of cleaning wipes having a non-rectangular shape adapted for attachment to the non-rectangular attaching surface.

40. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the body has a rounded end and a substantially pointed end.

41. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein the body has a first rounded end and a second rounded end, wherein the radius of curvature of the first rounded end is substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the second rounded end.

42. An apparatus for storing and attaching cleaning wipes, comprising:

a plurality of cleaning wipes configured for cleaning a surface;

a container having a body defining an interior space configured for storing the plurality of cleaning wipes, the body having a flat attaching surface, the container having a lid configured to be opened and closed in order to allow and prevent access through the body to the interior space, wherein the lid is snap-fit onto the body when closed and forms a watertight seal when closed to prevent liquid from entering or escaping the interior space; and

a hook and loop type fastener configured for attaching one of the cleaning wipes to the attaching surface such that the container acts as a handle for use in applying the cleaning wipe to a surface, wherein either the hook or the loop elements are attached to the attaching surface and the other of the hook or the loop elements are attached to the cleaning wipes, wherein the hook and loop type fastener is configured for allowing the cleaning wipe to be removed from the attaching surface.

43. The apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein the plurality of cleaning wipes are a melamine-based foam configured for contacting and cleaning a surface to be cleaned and a web attached to the melamine-based foam, wherein either the hook or the loop elements are attached to the web.

44. An apparatus for storing and attaching a cleaning block, comprising:

a container configured for holding at least one cleaning block, the container having a body with an attaching surface; and

an attachment mechanism configured for attaching a cleaning block to the attaching surface for use in a cleaning procedure, wherein the container is capable of being grasped to aid in positioning of the cleaning block during a cleaning procedure.

45. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein the cleaning block is a block of melamine-based foam.

46. The apparatus as set forth in claim 44, wherein the body defines an interior space for use in holding the cleaning block, and further comprising a lid configured to be opened and closed in order to allow and prevent access through the body to the interior space.