Adhesive cleaning system
10154773 ยท 2018-12-18
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
An adhesive cleaning system for cleaning surfaces provided with a cleaning unit including at least two support arms in a spaced apart and parallel relationship with each other. Each of the support arms has a stop edge, a free end and at least one annular ridge. A first roller and a second roller each include a roller core rotatably receiving at least one of the support arms, respectively. An adhesive sheet is transferable between the rollers, with the adhesive sheet including a release liner, a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer and a backing layer. During use the first adhesive layer is exposed when wound on one of the rollers, with the second adhesive layer is exposed when transferred to the other roller, thereby provide multiple uses of the adhesive sheet.
Claims
1. An adhesive cleaning system comprising: a cleaning unit comprising at least two support arms in a spaced apart and parallel relationship with each other, each of said support arms having a stop edge, and a free end; a first roller and a second roller each including a roller core having configuration capable of rotatably receiving at least one of said support arms, respectively; and an adhesive sheet having a configuration capable of being transferable between said first roller and said second roller, said adhesive sheet including a release liner, a first adhesive layer adjacent said release liner, a second adhesive layer and a backing layer between said first adhesive layer and said second adhesive layer.
2. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 1, wherein a section of said first adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed when said adhesive sheet is wound on said first roller or said second roller, and a section of said second adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed when said adhesive sheet is transferred to said first roller or said second roller other than said first roller or said second roller including said first adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed.
3. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 1, wherein each of said support arms including at least one annular ridge located between said stop edge and said free end, and wherein said free end has a configuration capable of reducing a diameter of at least a portion of said free end to less than a diameter of said annular ridge.
4. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 3, wherein said free end of each of said support arms includes a plurality of members extending outwardly and radially from a longitudinal axis of said support arms.
5. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 4, wherein each of said members include a peripheral edge having a configuration capable of creating a free end stop edge, said stop edge and said free end stop edge each having a configuration capable of being adjacent opposite ends of said roller core received thereon.
6. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 5, wherein said peripheral edge of said members are separated from each other defining a gap.
7. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 3, wherein said annular ridge being a plurality of annular ridges separated by an intermediate section with a diameter less than a diameter of said annular ridges.
8. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 7, wherein said intermediate section features at least one opening or recess having a configuration capable of defining an open space adjacent an interior surface of said roller core received thereon.
9. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 8, wherein said annular ridges being at least three annular ridges, said intermediate section being at least two intermediate sections each being between two of said at least three annular ridges.
10. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 1 further comprising a roller urging member associated with each of said support arms, said roller urging member having a configuration capable of urging said first roller or said second roller toward said stop edge, respectively.
11. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 10, wherein said roller urging member is selected from the group consisting of at least two caps each being engageable with said free end of said support arms, and a biasing member associated with a peripheral edge of said free end of said support arms.
12. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 1, wherein said cleaning unit further comprising a handle and a base member, with said support arms extending from said base member to create said stop edge of said support arms.
13. An adhesive cleaning system comprising: a cleaning unit comprising at least two support arms in a spaced apart and parallel relationship with each other; a first roller and a second roller each including a roller core having configuration capable of rotatably receiving at least one of said support arms, respectively; and an adhesive sheet having a configuration capable of being transferable between said first roller and said second roller, said adhesive sheet including a release liner, a first adhesive layer adjacent said release liner, a second adhesive layer and a backing layer between said first adhesive layer and said second adhesive layer; wherein said first adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed when said adhesive sheet is wound on said first roller or said second roller, and said second adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed when said adhesive sheet is transferred to said first roller or said second roller other than said first roller or said second roller including said first adhesive layer being exteriorly exposed.
14. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 13, wherein said adhesive sheet has a configuration capable of said release liner separating from said first adhesive layer at least during a transferring of said adhesive sheet between said first roller and said second roller.
15. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 13, wherein said adhesive sheet being transferred between said first roller and said second roller at a diagonal direction.
16. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 13, wherein each of said support arms having a stop edge, a free end and at least one annular ridge located between said stop edge and said free end.
17. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 16, wherein said free end has a configuration capable of reducing a diameter of at least a portion of said free end to less than a diameter of said annular ridge.
18. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 16, wherein said free end of each of said support arms includes a plurality of members extending outwardly and radially from a longitudinal axis of said support arms.
19. The adhesive cleaning system of claim 18, wherein each of said members include a peripheral edge having a configuration capable of creating a free end stop edge, said stop edge and said free end stop edge each having a configuration capable of being adjacent opposite ends of said roller core received thereon.
20. A method of using an adhesive cleaning system, said method comprising the steps of: assembling a roller core of a first roller on a first support arm of a cleaning unit, said first roller including an adhesive sheet wound thereon, said adhesive sheet including a release liner, a first adhesive layer adjacent said release liner, a second adhesive layer and a backing layer between said first adhesive layer and said second adhesive layer; assembling a roller core of a second roller on a second support arm of said cleaning unit, said roller core of said second roller including an adhesive on an exterior surface thereof; transferring said adhesive sheet from said first roller to said second roller at a diagonal direction so said second adhesive layer is exposed; winding said adhesive sheet on said second roller until a trailing edge of said release liner is exposed; attaching a portion of said second adhesive layer to said roller core of said first roller; separating said release liner from said first adhesive layer; and transferring said adhesive sheet from said second roller to said first roller so that said first adhesive layer is exposed when wound about said first roller.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
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(18) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(19) Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
(20) In
(21) The cleaning unit 12 includes a handle 14 having a configuration capable of being grasped and manipulated by a user. The handle 14 can be an ergonomic grip or can be an elongated shaft with a grip near an end thereof, with the handle 14 being aligned or angled with the rollers 60, 64 allowing the user to manipulate and use the adhesive cleaning system 10.
(22) A base member 16 can be associated with a portion of the handle 14, and from which extends a pair of roller support arms 20. The roller support arms 20 are parallel with each other in a spaced apart relationship, with each roller support arm 20 having a configuration capable of rotatably supporting one of the first and second rollers 60, 64, respectively. Each of the first and second rollers 60, 64 include a roller core 62, 66, respectively, and are capable of receiving an adhesive sheet 70.
(23) It can be appreciated that the handle 14 or the base member 16 can include a motor and/or gear system for rotating each roller support arm 20 or the first and second rollers 60, 64 in the same or opposite directions.
(24) Each roller support arm 20 has a substantially cylindrical configuration with a first end 22 extending from the handle 14 or the base member 16. The first end 22 can include a diameter less than a width or diameter of the handle 14 or the base member 16, thereby creating an annular stop edge 18 perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the roller support arm 20.
(25) Adjacent to the first end 22 can be at least one first core support ridge 24 that extends out annularly with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first end 22. An exterior most edge of the first core support ridge 24 can be, but not limited to, arcuate with a radius, tapered or planar. Following the first core support ridge 24 can be a first intermediate section 26 with a diameter less than the first core support ridge 24. The first intermediate section 26 can include openings or recesses 28 capable of reducing weight and/or preventing a vacuum lock with the roller core 62, 66 of the first and second rollers 60, 64 received thereon, respectively.
(26) Adjacent to the first intermediate section 26 can be a second core support ridge 30 that extends out annularly with a diameter equal to the diameter of the first core support ridge 24. An exterior most edge of the second core support ridge 30 can have a configuration similar or different to that of the first core support ridge 24. Following the second core support ridge 30 can be a second intermediate section 32 with a diameter less than the first and second core support ridges 24, 30. The second intermediate section 32 can include openings 34 and/or recesses 36 capable of reducing weight and/or preventing a vacuum lock with the roller core 62, 66 of the first and second rollers 60, 64 received thereon, respectively.
(27) Adjacent to the second intermediate section 32 can be a third core support ridge 38 that extends out annularly with a diameter equal to the diameter of the first and second core support ridges 24, 30. An exterior most edge of the third core support ridge 38 can have a configuration similar or different to that of the first and second core support ridges 24, 30. The second intermediate section 32 can have a length greater than, less than or equal to a length of the first intermediate section 26. The lengths of the first and second intermediate sections 26, 32 determine the position of the second core support ridge 30 on the first and second rollers 60, 64 received thereon, respectively.
(28) Following the third core support ridge 38 can be a second end 40, which is a free end, as best illustrated in
(29) Between each of the members 42 can be defined a gap 50 that leads to an opening 52. The opening 52 has a configuration similar to that of, but reversed with, the members 42.
(30) The members 42 can form a generally conical configuration with the peripheral edges 44 forming an annular edge with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first, second and third core support ridges 24, 30, 38. The outwardly tapering triangular configuration of each of the members 42, along with the gaps 50 and the openings 52, allows each of the members 42 to bend in an inwardly direction. This flexibility of each of the members 42 can provide the ability to reduce the general diameter of the peripheral edges 44 of the second end 40 so as to be less than the diameter of the first, second and third core support ridges 24, 30, 38 and the roller core 62, 66 of the rollers 60, 64, as best illustrated in
(31) The user can manually squeeze the members 42 toward each other thereby reducing the overall diameter of the peripheral edges 44 of the second end 40. It can be appreciated that a ring (not shown) can be positioned exterior of the members 42 between the peripheral edges 44 and the third core support ridge 38. The ring can have a diameter less than the diameter of the third core support ridge 38, and thus sliding the ring along the members 42 would squeeze all the members 42 simultaneously.
(32) The roller core 62, 66 of the first and second roller 60, 64 can have a diameter greater than the diameter of the first, second and third core support ridges 24, 30, 38, thereby allowing the roller support arm 20 to be inserted into the roller core 62, 66 and allowing for the rollers 60, 64 to be rotated about the roller support arm 20, respectively. It can be appreciated that the rollers 60, 64 can easily slide on and receive their corresponding roller support arm 20. It can further be appreciated that the roller core 62, 66 can be frictionally fitted to their respective support arm 20, with each support arm 20 being rotatably coupled to the handle 14 or the base member 16.
(33) A length between the stop edge 18 of the base member 16 and the stop edge 46 of the second end 40 can be configured to substantially correspond with a length of the rollers 60, 64. This length can be slightly greater than the roller length, thereby allowing for free rotation of the rollers 60, 64, while at the same time aligning the rollers 60, 64 for proper transfer of the adhesive sheet 70. When assembled, a first end of the roller core 62, 66 abuts the stop edge 18 of the base member 16, while a second end of the roller core 62, 66 abuts the stop edge 46 of the second end 40. The stop edges 18, 46 keep the rollers 60, 64 aligned with each other.
(34) Referring to
(35) During use, one of the roller support arms 20 can be orientated so that its corresponding roller 60, 64 can be in contact with a surface 2 to be cleaned. The user would move the cleaning unit 12 so that the roller 60, 64 travels along the surface 2 thereby pulling the adhesive sheet 70 from the other roller and thus providing a clean section of the adhesive sheet 70. The diagonal direction of transfer of the adhesive sheet 70 rotates the supplying roller in a direction opposite to that of the receiving roller which can be contact with the surface 2
(36) The adhesive cleaning system 10 can optionally include a cap 80 attachable to the second end 40 of each roller support arm 20, as best illustrated in
(37) The cap 80 includes an interior space 82 defined by at least one side wall 84. A plurality of teeth members 86 extend perpendicular from the side wall 84 toward each other. Each of the teeth members 86 includes an angled ramp portion 88 extending from a head portion of the members 86 in a direction toward the interior space 82 and parallel with a longitudinal axis of the cap 80. The members 86 have a width less than a width of the gap 50 allowing the members 86 to pass through the gaps 50 when the cap 80 is assembled on the second end 40, as best illustrated in
(38) Upon rotation of the cap 80, the members 86 and their corresponding angled portion 88 have a configuration capable of advancing the cap 80 along the longitudinal axis of the roller support arm 20 in a direction toward the base member 16, as best illustrated in
(39) As the cap 80 advances toward the base member 16, the side wall 84 and/or members 86 contacts the roller core 62, 66, which urges the roller core 62, 66 and thus the rollers 60, 64 toward the stop edge 18 of the base member 16. Consequently, each roller 60, 64 can be aligned with each other because of their urged position against their corresponding stop edge 18.
(40) Referring to
(41) Upon squeezing the members 42 of the second end 40, and sliding the roller 60, 64 onto their respective roller support arm 20, the biasing member 48 is juxtaposition with the roller core 62, 66. The biasing member 48 can urge the roller core 62, 66 and thus the rollers 60, 64 toward the stop edge 18 of the base member 16. Consequently, each roller 60, 64 can be aligned with each other because of their urged position against their corresponding stop edge 18.
(42) It can be appreciated that the biasing member 48 can be a magnet, with the roller core 62, 66 having an additional magnet in a repulsive configuration so as to create the urging force that pushes the roller 60, 64 toward the base member 16. The magnets can remove any rotational friction loss between the roller core 62, 66 and the second end 40.
(43) Referring now to
(44) The first and second rollers 60, 64 can include the roller core 62, 66, each with an adhesive exterior 68. The supply roller 60 includes a continuous roll of adhesive sheet 70, which can be transferable to the receiving roller 64 upon use. The adhesive sheet 70 includes a release liner 72 exterior of a first adhesive layer 74, a second adhesive layer 78, and a backing layer 76 between the first and second adhesives layers 74, 78. It can be appreciated that the release liner 72 separates the first adhesive layer 74 from the second adhesive layer 78 when the adhesive sheet 70 can be wound around the roller core 62, 66. This can prevent the first and second adhesive layers 74, 78 from sticking together.
(45) The first and second adhesives layers 74, 78 can provide the multi-use aspect of the present invention, since the adhesive sheet 70 can be used more than once, depending on which of the first and second adhesives layers 74, 78 is exposed.
(46) Referring to
(47) The cap 90 can include a closed end 92, and an engagement end 94 extending from the closed end 92. The closed end 92 can have a diameter greater than the diameter of the third core support ridge 38 or the roller core 62, 66 of the rollers 60, 64. The engagement end 94 can have a diameter less than an interior diameter of the second end 40 or the roller support arms 20, thus allowing the engagement end 94 to be inserted and received through the hollow interior of the second end 40. The engagement end 94 can be securely fitted in the second end 40 by way of, but not limited to, friction, threaded engagement, fasteners or latches.
(48) It can be appreciated that the roller core 62, 66 or the roller support arms 20 can have a length allowing the roller core 62, 66 to extend out past the second end 40. With the engagement end 94 being threadable engageable with an interior surface of the second end 40 or the roller support arms 20. This configuration allows for the advancing of the cap toward the roller support arms 20 by rotating the cap 90. Continued rotation of the cap 90 would increase the advancement toward the roller 60, 64 assembled on the support arm 20, and consequently urge the roller 60, 64 toward the stop edge 18.
(49) With the roller core 62, 66 assembled on the roller support arms 20, the cap 90 can be attached to the second end 40 by inserting the engagement end 94 into the second end 40. The closed end 92 can contact the roller core 62, 66 thereby urging the roller 60, 64 toward the stop edge 18, as best illustrated in
(50) In use, as best illustrated in
(51) To clean the surface of debris, the receiving roller 64 is placed in contact with the surface so that the exposed second adhesive layer 78 can contact the surface. The user can then roll the adhesive cleaning system 10 along the surface. This rolling action rotates the receiving roller 64 which pulls and transfers clean sections of the adhesive sheet 70 from the supply roller 60, which rotates in a direction opposite of the receiving roller 64 due to the diagonal transfer direction.
(52) Upon completion of transferring of the adhesive sheet 70 from the supply roller 60 to the receiving roller 64, the second roller 64 now becomes the supply roller and the first roller 60, which is empty of adhesive sheet 70, now becomes the receiving roller.
(53) The release liner 72 can have an overall length that is longer than the first and second adhesive layers 74, 78. This provides a trailing edge length L of the release liner 72 that extends past the first and second adhesive layers 74, 78, as best illustrated in
(54) At this point the initial use the adhesive sheet 70 is complete, and the user can now arrange the adhesive sheet 70 for a secondary use. To do this, the user can pull the trailing edge length L of the exposed released liner 72 in a diagonal direction similar to the previous diagonal direction, as best illustrated in
(55) The used second adhesive layer 78 is placed in contact with the adhesive exterior 68 of the receiving roller 60, while the release liner 72 is separated from the first adhesive layer 74, as best illustrated in
(56) To clean a surface of debris using the first adhesive layer 74 (secondary use of the adhesive sheet 70), the receiving roller 60 is placed in contact with the surface so that the exposed first adhesive layer 74 can contact the surface. The user can then roll the adhesive cleaning system 10 along the surface. This rolling action rotates the receiving roller 60 which pulls and transfers clean sections of the first adhesive layer 74 from the supply roller 64, which rotates in a direction opposite of the receiving roller 60 due to the diagonal transfer direction.
(57) Continued rolling of the receiving roller 60 will unwind the adhesive sheet 70 from the supply roller 64 and wind it onto the receiving roller 60 with the release liner 72 being between the first and second adhesive layers 74, 78.
(58) Upon completion of transferring of the adhesive sheet 70 from the supply roller 64 to the receiving roller 60, the adhesive sheet 70 has completed its second use cycle. After which, the user can replace the first and second rollers 60, 64 with a new set, thereby providing the user with another two cycles of use.
(59) The present invention concerns an improved debris cleaning roller that comes with two cylindrical cores that support a double-sided roll of adhesive sheet in a way that allows the whole roll to be dispensed moving from one arm to the other in a diagonal direction.
(60) The length of each arm can equal the length of the roller refill or can be longer to allow a space between an end of the roller and the stop edge of the second end. The tight clearances in length can prevent each roll from wriggling up and down keeping them both intact and perfectly parallel to each other during the course of cleaning. The second end of each arm can be raised and round-like configuration, so when it contacts the core of the roll, it doesn't make the circular movement of the roll difficult but smooth.
(61) The adhesive sheet and roller package of the present invention can include two components, being an empty core coated with adhesive/sticky substance for initial sheet pick-up from a supply roll. The adhesive sheet can be a double sided adhesive sheet, including a release liner that can be longer. The extra length of the release liner, the difference between the circumference of the supply roll and that of the receiving roll, can be meant to help prevent the two adhesive layers from contacting during the roll transitions.
(62) While embodiments of the adhesive cleaning system have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material may be used instead of the above-described. And although cleaning a surface using a multi-use adhesive sheet have been described, it should be appreciated that the adhesive cleaning system herein described is also suitable for providing dual use cleaning operation from a single adhesive sheet.
(63) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.