Patent Grant
9475104
Touch screens are an increasingly common feature on personal computing devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers, where size and user interface advantages accrue from consolidating multiple hardware components (for example keyboard, number pad, and the like) into a single interactive graphic user interface displayed on the touch screen.
Conventional touch screens detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. Generally, a touch includes touching the touch display screen with a finger, hand, or other touching member. Oily residues, or smudges on the touch screen surface may be one side effect of touches which are not only unsightly and can interfere with the performance of the touch screen, but from which frequently used patterns such as a graphical password maybe inferred. In the vast majority of settings, partial or complete patterns can be easily retrieved.
There would be advantages in providing a display surface cleaning system made a part of, integral with, or which can be proximate to, the display surface of a computing device which would allow the user to readily clean the display surface directly, or indirectly by cleaning the touching member used to touch the display surface.
Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to provide a display surface cleaning system which includes a display surface cleaner which can be utilized discrete from, coupled proximate to, or is integral with the interactive display surface or the encasement of a device which includes an interactive display surface.
Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a method of cleaning a user interactive display surface to remove contaminants directly from the interactive display surface or indirectly by cleaning the touch member used to touch the display surface to avoid transfer of contaminants from the touch member to the user interactive display surface.
Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.
Now referring in general to the Figures, illustrative examples of the display surface cleaning system (1) are shown which include a display surface cleaning assembly (2) useful in cleaning a display surface (3) of a device (4). While
Additionally, while the illustrative examples of
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As shown in the examples of
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Particular embodiments of the invention can further include a cover seal (18), which can be discrete from or unitary with the container (5) or the cover (6) and configured to be interengaged by the container (5) and the cover (6) in the container closed condition (14) to sealably enclose the inside space (9).
The above illustrative examples of the container (5) and the interengagement of the container (5) with the cover (6) are intended to allow a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use a numerous and wide variety of embodiments of the container (5) or container (5) and cover (6) to receive the display surface cleaning medium (7), whether or not containing a cleanser (8). Understandably, the cover (6) can take any form that can interengage with the container (5) to provide the open condition (13) during periods of use and the closed condition (14) between periods of use.
Again referring generally to the Figures, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can be of any material compatible with the display surface (3) of a device (4). As to particular embodiments, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can comprise one layer (19) (as shown in the examples of
Again referring to the Figures in general, as to particular embodiments, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can contain a cleanser (8). Accordingly, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can be made from a material both compatible with the display surface (3) of a device (4) and further having retentive forces in relation to a particular cleanser (8) which predominate over hydrostatic forces between uses of the display surface cleaning assembly (2) and which further allows transfer of a portion of the cleanser (8) from the display surface cleaning medium (7) to the display surface (3) of the device (4) during use of the display surface cleaning assembly (2), as further described below. As illustrative examples, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can be a pad having one layer (19) or a plurality of layers (20) made of any of a numerous and wide variety of materials, such as: a water laid fiber or an air laid fiber (such as “fluff pulp”) and binder, a partially open cell sponge-like hydrophilic material, a sponge-like hydrophobic material covered with a hydrophilic layer, a polyvinyl alcohol foam with no visible pores, a polyester sponge-like material, or the like, and combinations thereof.
The cleanser (8) can be applied in sufficient amount to the display screen cleaning medium (7) whether before or after the display screen cleaning medium (7) is received inside the container (5). The cleanser (8) can be any of a numerous and wide variety of substances, solutions, compositions, and combinations thereof, including as illustrative examples, distilled water, de-ionized water, white vinegar, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol monohexylether, ammonia, 2-butoxyethanol, acetone, or the like, capable of or useful in removing contaminants (41) (as shown in the example of
Now referring primarily to
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As an illustrative example, the adherent layer (21) can be a carrier material (25) (any of a wide variety of plastics, foams, papers, or the like) having an adherent (26) on opposed sides (27)(28) such that a first side (27) engages the container (5) (as to particular embodiments, the bottom panel (10) as shown in the examples of
Now referring primarily to
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The encasement (23) can further include a container (5) configured to removably retain the display surface cleaning medium (7). With respect to the illustrative embodiment of
As to other embodiments, a discrete container (5) can be removably received within the recess element (33). The container (5) can be configured in any structural form which affords matable surfaces which allow the container (5) to removably secure inside of the recess element (33). Without limitation to the breadth of the forgoing, the recess element (33) and the container (5) can afford matable surfaces being triangular, square, rectangular, elliptical, round, or the like.
The container (5) and the recess element (33) can further include matable portions of one or more detents (46) and a corresponding one or more detent receiving elements (52) which releasably engage to releasably retain the container (5) within the recess element (33). One or more detents (46) can outwardly project from one more of the interconnected upright panels (34) to releasably engage a corresponding one or more detent receiving elements (52) disposed in a corresponding one or more of the container side panels (11) of the container (5). The detent elements (46) can be configured to operate with greater or lesser engage and disengage forces depending on the application. In the illustrative example of
The recess element (33) can further include a pass through element (43) which defines a pass through opening (44) between opposed surfaces of the encasement (23). The pass through element (43) located adjacent the container bottom panel (10) of the container (5). The pass through opening (44) having sufficient area to allow the bottom panel (10) of the container (5) to be engaged and by sufficient forcibly urging displaced from the recess element (33). As to certain embodiments, the encasement (23) or the container (5) can be sufficient thin or perforated to allow deformation sufficient to displace the container (5) from the recess element (33).
A display surface cleaning medium (7) compatible with the display screen (3) can be releasably retained within the container (5). The display surface cleaning medium (7) can comprises a one layer display surface cleaning medium (19) or a plurality of display surface cleaning layers (20) in the form of a plurality of cleaning sheets (48) whether stacked or interleaved in relation to one another.
Embodiments can further include a cleanser (8) contained by the display surface cleaning medium (7), the cleanser compatible with display surface cleaning medium (7) and the display surface (3), as above described.
Particular embodiments can further include a cleaning medium overwrap (45) which encloses the display surface cleaning medium (7). The cleaning medium overwrap can be produced from a substantially rigid or substantially flexible material (shown in the example of
As to particular embodiments, an adherent layer (21), as above described, can be utilized to removably secure the overwrap element (45) containing the display surface cleaning medium (7) inside of the container (5); however, other embodiments can utilize snap-fit and release parts, releasably engaged pieces of hook material and a loop material, or the like to removably secure the overwrap element (45) inside of the container (5).
The container (5) can further include a container cover (6) which operates between a container closed container condition (14) and an container open condition (13) which allows access to the display surface cleaning medium. As to particular embodiments, the encasement (23) and the container (5) and further including the container cover (6) can be, but is not necessarily, a unitary structure.
Now referring to the Figures in general the invention also includes methods of producing embodiments of the apparatus and methods of cleaning a display surface (3) of a device (4).
Now referring primarily to
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Sufficient forcible urging of the display surface cleaning medium (7) which can contain the cleanser (8) with the display surface (3) or sufficient forcible urging of the touching member (37) to the display surface cleaning medium (7) can displace, reduce, or remove contaminants (41) from the treated portion of the interactive display surface (3) or the touching member (37). Contaminants (41) broadly include any type of material removable from the display surface (3) or from the touching member (37) by engagement and additional sufficient forcible urging of the display surface cleaning medium (7) with the interactive display surface (3) or the touching member (37). Contaminants (41) on the interactive display surface (3) or the touching member (37)(whether an appendage of the human body such as a finger or an artificial member) can include sweat, oils, minerals, lactate, urea, dead skin cells along with other materials such as food, liquids, saliva, mucus, solid particles, aerosols, dust, lotions, oils, grease, cosmetics, soap, disinfectant, cleansers, or the like, and combinations thereof.
The treated display surface (3) or the treated touching member (37) can be allowed to dry. The touching member (37) can be engaged with the surface of the interactive display screen (3). The displacement, reduction or removal of contaminants (41) on the display surface (3) or touch member (37) confers a substantial advantage in that the display surface (3) can be less unsightly, less subject to pattern recognition, or operate with increased dependability. The display surface cleaning assembly (2) can then be placed in the closed condition (14) between periods of use.
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As to particular embodiments, the display surface cleaning medium (7) can further include a display cleaning medium overwrap (45) which encloses the display surface cleaning medium (7). The method can further include separating the cleaning medium overwrap (45) along a separation line (50) to provide an over wrap aperture (49) which allows passage of one or more of said plurality of cleaning medium sheets (48) from said cleaning medium overwrap (45).
The method can further include releasing the container (5) from a container securement structure (47) of the encasement (23). As to particular embodiments, releasing the container (5) further includes releasing the container (5) from a container securement structure (47) in the form of an encasement recess (33) configured to releasably receive the container (5). Releasing the container can further include disengaging one or more detents (46) which project outwardly from one more encasement recess panels (11) from a corresponding one or more detent receiving elements (52) disposed in one or more container side panels ( ).
The method can further include passing an appendage (38) through a pass through opening (44) to engage the container bottom panel (10), and by forcibly urging the appendage (38) against the container bottom panel (19), releasing the container (5) from said container securement structure (47) of the encasement (23).
The method can further include operating a container cover (6) between a container closed condition (14) and a container open condition (13) which allows access to the display surface cleaning medium (7), removing the display cleaning medium (7) from said container (5), and cleaning said display screen (3) the device (3) by engaging said display cleaning medium (7) with the display screen (3) of the device (3). The method further includes sealably engaging the container cover (6) and the container (5) with a container seal (18) in the container closed condition (14).
The method can further include releasably securing a mobile device (4) to the encasement.
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves numerous and varied embodiments of a mountable carrier and methods for making and using such mountable carrier including the best mode.
As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the invention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tables accompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect to any particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and figures.
It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the physical element or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of a “cleanser” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “cleaning” —whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “cleaning”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “cleanser” and even a “means for cleaning.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to be included in the description for each term as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition hereby incorporated by reference.
All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term “about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of the present invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” one particular value to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value to the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. A numerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Similarly, the antecedent “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the antecedent “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment.
Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwise limited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each display surface cleaning system and display surface assembly herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain U.S. patents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concerns about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is not intended that any U.S. patent, patent application, publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent application or continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.
Additionally, the claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intended to describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as a part of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.
This United States Patent Application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/028,741, filed Sep. 17, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,180,495, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/837,987, filed Jun. 21, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/749,735, filed Jan. 7, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/702,155, filed Sep. 17, 2012, each hereby incorporated by reference herein.
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| Parent | 14028741 | Sep 2013 | US |
| Child | 14871957 | US |
