Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the articles such as mitts or mittens used in the handling, cleaning and enclosing of waste products, and to the user's non-contact with such waste.
2. Background Art
Currently there are no mitt baby cleaning products that provide the user an economic, effective, and easy to use all-in-one cleaning and disposing product solution. All of the current products are problematic because they are either cumbersome, spread germs, don't give the individual performing the cleaning any protection from getting themselves dirty in the process or any combination thereof.
This invention addresses existing problems in the current products or other solutions. This invention is a simple, effective design for use in cleaning babies; it improves other methods for protecting the user's hand while using the cleaning mitt so that the hand is not exposed, nor is there any chance of exposure to waste or dirt; it uses a continuous loop, pleated edge drawstring to make the securing of the opening fast and simple; and it incorporates a design that is economical to make.
There are two specific inventions which address the need of a disposal wipe for cleaning babies, but these are both ineffective solutions for this problem. These two inventions are U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,283 to Rojko titled “Absorbable cleaning mitt for wiping babies”, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,733 to Lerner titled “Combined cleaning glove and disposal bag.” Although these inventions try to address the problems encountered when wiping and cleaning a baby, they do not provide an effective all-in-one solution. For instance, in the '283 patent: the claimed invention does not embody a useful shape to aid in the cleaning of a baby or child; the invention does not show a closure device that can be used while performing the cleaning on the child or baby which could allow dirt or refuse to get inside the mitt; and, the invention embodiments are too cumbersome to be used when cleaning a baby or child which requires a speedy application and use. The '733 invention does not fully solve the baby cleaning problem because: the topical area is only covered on one side of the mitten; it is cumbersome for the user to tie the string while the item is in use; the area for disposing of the other items inside the mitt is too small; the proposed drawstring is not effective because it is not a continuous loop; and, the design of the item is intimidating for a person to use.
The disposable mitt does not limit itself to uses for cleaning babies and disposing of the articles used in that process. The disposable mitt has applications that extend to many tasks where the user would not like to have their skin touch the cleanser or cleansers used. It is simple to use and easy to work with. For instance, the disposable mitt would provide an simple method for cleaning up a spill; the disposable mitt could be pre-moistened with furniture polish for use around the house; and, it could be pre-moistened for use on one's car.
There are other disposable mitts or gloves claimed, but these all do not address the specific task of cleaning a baby. There uses are limited to their technical field and do not have the ease of use the current invention does. The inventions include the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,782,912; 4,065,826; 4,347,931; 4,645,251; 4,677,697; and, 4,741,565. Included are also the following Foreign Patent Application No.'s: 2566631; 2033731; 1583181; and, 2134371.
The invention entails a mitt structure with an inner and outer layer. The mitt is used for the purposes of cleaning and wiping waste products off of a surface, usually skin, that also serves as a waste disposal device when you are finished wiping the surface by inverting the disposable mitt.
The pleated edge continuous loop drawstring design enables the mitt to more securely close when the string is pulled and tightened. In addition, the pleated edge enables the user to secure the mitt around the arm easily before it will be used as a cleaning device. The single looped string design is such that the string will not separate from the mitt prior to use and closure. The single loop is designed to ensure that the string is a continuous piece and avoids separation from the mitt.
The DISPOSABLE MITT can be used to not only wipe the skin of an infant to clean after the baby has soiled a diaper but also that can be inverted to act as a garbage bag to fill with the used diaper, extra wipes, and for the mitten itself would make the process of cleaning a baby to a parent much easier.
In addition to the use as a baby wipe, this invention could be used with a different pre-moistened solution on the outer surface as an interior car cleaner or furniture polish applicator. This invention could also be used without any pre-moistened fluid on the outer surface to pick up pet waste or for other cleaning projects.
The DISPOSABLE MITT is a mitten-shaped apparatus
The user places one's hand inside the mitt in contact with the inner-layer 20 of material. Once the user's hand is placed inside, at no time does the user's hand come in contact with the outer layer 10. In addition, once placed inside, the user is able to quickly and efficiently secure the drawstring 30 with their other hand without much difficulty. This feature enables the user to perform any cleaning without tying two strings
Once the user has completed using the mitt as a cleaning device, the user is able to grab any garbage or other items, quickly undo the drawstring with the other hand, and use the uncovered hand to invert the mitt
This device is primarily designed for use in cleaning babies after they have soiled a diaper