CLEANING IMPLEMENT HAVING A VISUAL INDICATOR FOR DETERMINING DEBRIS REMOVAL EFFECTIVENESS AND END OF USEFUL LIFE
First Claim
1. An indicator for detecting cleanliness of at least one surface-contacting part in a cleaning implement, the indicator comprising:
- a selected fabric material;
wherein the material discolors upon exposure to particulate debris; and
wherein the discoloration is discernible by visual inspection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visual indicator for the cleaning effectiveness and end of useful life of a cleaning implement, e.g., a fabric sweeper, for removing dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on a fabric surface. The implement comprises a housing and a pair of fabric-covered rollers. During a cleaning operation, the implement is swept over the surface to be cleaned. Debris is retained by the fabric on the rollers and transported to a collection chamber by the opposing roller. The fabric covering the rollers is a unidirectional fabric such as velour with a light color such as light blue. The light color provides an indication of cleaning effectiveness since the hair and debris loaded on the rollers contrasts with the light color and therefore can easily be quantified. The light color further aids in determining when the rollers have become too dirty such that the implement should be disposed and a new implement used.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An indicator for detecting cleanliness of at least one surface-contacting part in a cleaning implement, the indicator comprising:
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a selected fabric material;
wherein the material discolors upon exposure to particulate debris; and
wherein the discoloration is discernible by visual inspection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An indicator for demonstrating particulate debris removal of a cleaning implement, the indicator comprising:
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a selected fabric material having a selected light color affixed to at least one surface-contacting part of the cleaning implement;
wherein the material picks up and retains particulate debris during a cleaning operation; and
wherein the retained debris contrasts with the light color fabric material so as to be discernible upon visual inspection;
- View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for detecting debris removal effectiveness of a cleaning implement, the method comprising:
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providing a visual use indicator comprising a selected material having a selected characteristic;
providing a cleaning implement, wherein the cleaning implement is partially comprised of the selected material such that, during a cleaning operation, at least a portion of the selected material comes in contact with a surface to be cleaned;
using the cleaning implement in a cleaning operation; and
visually inspecting the use indicator material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification