Method of cleaning using a device with a liquid reservoir and replaceable non-woven pad

• US 7,740,412 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Massing, Scott, Wang, Tianzhu, Kunkler, Jeffrey S., Gipp, Mark M., Hoadley, David A., Zach, Steven A., Smits, Chrissie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Huyen
• Application Number:
  US11/124,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20060171768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,870 Days
• Field of Search: 401126-140, 401/191, 401/261, 401/263, 401/268, 401/270, 401/282
• US Class Current: 401/134
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/26 Other cleaning devices with liquid supply arrangements such arrangements on floor-polishing machines A47L11/00, on scrapers A47L13/03, on mops A47L13/22; cloths, pads, or the like containing cleaning agents A47L13/17, A47L13/19
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/38 Other dusting implements using adhesive surfaces A47L25/005
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/46 Securing scouring or polishing cloths or sponges to the handles by gripping means, tongs, or the like

Abstract

A method of cleaning is disclosed. The method includes providing a cleaning tool having a handle having a top and bottom and an opening allowing access into the bottom from the top and a cleaning pad support pivotally attached to the handle portion. The method further includes the steps of placing a cleaning pad onto the cleaning pad support, inserting a fluid dispenser into the fluid dispenser cradle, positioning the cleaning pad onto a surface to be cleaned and moving the cleaning pad on the surface to be cleaned. Liquid may be selectively applied to either the surface to be cleaned or the cleaning implement.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning comprising:

a) providing a cleaning tool handle;

b) attaching a cleaning pad support to the handle;

c) placing a cleaning pad useful for wet dust cleaning in contact with the cleaning pad support; and

d) spraying from a dispenser having a spray cap comprised of a pair of opposed flats, the opposed flats configured to fit within a pair of rails within a cradle adjacent the handle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of ejecting liquid onto a surface to be cleaned from the fluid dispenser, and moving the cleaning pad into contact with the surface to be cleaned.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the ejecting step comprises depressing the spray cap through an opening in the handle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of aligning the flats within the pair of rails so that the dispenser is received into the cradle.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of moving the cleaning pad support into a liquid application position and applying liquid directly onto the cleaning pad.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the liquid application position is achieved by moving the support into a position wherein the angle between the support and the handle is between 45 and 68 degrees.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of moving the pad into a plane between 55 and 68 degrees from the handle;

and ejecting a liquid in a direction of the pad.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of dispensing a fluid from a fluid dispenser comprising a flexible pouch and an attachable spray cap.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of using a cleaning pad formed from a combination of fibers and at least one nonwoven sheet.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of spontaneously transporting aqueous fluids through fibers comprised of a polymer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of filling the dispenser with a cleaning solution including at least one of:

isopropanol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, and propylene glycol.

12. A method of delivering a cleaner to a surface to be cleaned, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a cleaning tool comprising;

a handle having a top, a bottom and a pair of rails;

a cleaning pad support moveably attached to the handle portion;

a cleaning pad attached to the cleaning pad support; and

a dispenser having a spray cap with a pair of opposed flats, the dispenser being filled with a cleaner and attached to the handle so that the flats are aligned with the pair of rails; and

b) ejecting the cleaner onto the surface to be cleaned.

13. A method of using a cleaning tool comprising:

a) gripping a handle of the tool, wherein the handle defines a cleaning material container receiving bay;

b) pivoting a cleaning pad support attached to the handle from a storage position to a cleaning position;

c) connecting a cleaning pad having a combination of fibers and at least one nonwoven sheet to the support;

d) connecting a cleaning material container to the handle with opposed flats configured to align with a pair of rails within the receiving bay;

e) dispensing a cleaning material from the container; and

f) moving the cleaning pad across a surface to be cleaned.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the cleaning material includes a mixture of:

water, a hydrocarbon, a silicone, a chloride, a laurate, and formaldehyde.

15. A method of improving dust retention in a cleaning tool comprising:

a) providing a cleaning tool having a handle with a pair of rails and a cleaning pad support attached to the handle;

b) placing a cleaning pad for wet dusting in contact with the cleaning pad support;

c) applying a liquid from a dispenser with a spray cap to the cleaning pad to improve debris retention, wherein the spray cap has a pair of opposing flats that align with the rails; and

d) dusting with the cleaning pad and the liquid.

16. A method of cleaning comprising:

a) providing a cleaning tool handle having a pair of U-shaped rails within a cradle adjacent the handle;

b) attaching a cleaning pad support to the handle;

c) placing a cleaning pad useful for wet dust cleaning in contact with the cleaning pad support; and

d) spraying from a dispenser that is configured to be received within the cradle.