The present specification relates generally to dustpans and more specifically relates to at least one removable adhesive sheet securable to a dustpan for retaining dust and debris swept into the dustpan.
Dustpans are a conventional cleaning tool in households across the world and used in industrial and commercial settings. Dustpans are used to collect common household debris, such as dust, dirt, food debris, and pet dander, hair and down feathers. Dustpans are typically used in combination with a broom or a brush, whereby the broom or the brush sweep debris into the dustpan. Debris collected in a dustpan may then be disposed. Dustpans are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and either in a handheld configuration or with a long handle.
Manually sweeping debris with a broom or a brush into a traditional dustpan frequently results in a portion of the debris being scattered in the air and back onto the recently cleaned surface rather than in the dustpan. Debris in the air causes poor indoor air quality and a resoiled surface needing to be cleaned again. Individuals with respiratory health conditions or sensitivities to allergens may be negatively affected by the reduced indoor air quality caused by traditional dustpans.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.
In example embodiments, a dustpan sheet has an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, and the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a dustpan.
In some examples, a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the tab has a plurality of tabs extending from one or more side edges thereof, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In some examples, the dustpan sheets are arranged in an aligned stack with each of the dustpan sheets being removably secured to the adhesive layer of a next one of the dustpan sheets in the aligned stack.
In some examples, there is a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, and the final sheet layer has an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a further adhesive layer for removably sticking to the surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a fastener securing mechanism for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets includes an adhesion prophylactic layer.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.
In example embodiments, a method of manufacturing sheets for use in a dustpan includes: providing an adhesive layer on at a least a portion of an upper surface of a plurality of sheets; arranging the plurality of sheets in an aligned stack with the adhesive layer of each sheet other than a top sheet releasably securing an adjacent one of the sheets in the aligned stack; and cutting the aligned stack to comprise a stack of dustpan sheets configured to be received in a dustpan.
In some examples, the cutting includes cutting a protruding tab on a side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the cutting includes cutting a plurality of protruding tabs extending from one or more side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs has at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the method further includes an adhesive layer that has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In example embodiments, the method includes assembling a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, the final sheet layer having an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the method further includes attaching a fastener securing mechanism to the lower surface for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the method further includes attaching an adhesion prophylactic layer to a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.
In examples embodiments, a dustpan assembly has a dustpan comprising a base, the base having an open face for collecting dust and debris; and a dustpan pad comprising at least one dustpan sheet comprising an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, configured to be received in the dustpan.
In some examples, a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, a plurality of tabs extend from one or more side edges of the dustpan sheet, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In some examples, the dustpan sheet has a plurality of the dustpan sheets, the dustpan sheets being arranged in an aligned stack with each of the dustpan sheets being removably secured to the adhesive layer of a next one of the dustpan sheets in the aligned stack.
In some examples, there is a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, the final sheet layer having an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a further adhesive layer for removably sticking to the surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a fastener securing mechanism for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets includes an adhesion prophylactic layer.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.
Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:
Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.
An example dustpan 100 is shown in
Dustpan 100 may comprise handle 116 for ease of gripping or handling dustpan 100 by a user of dustpan 100. Handle 116 may further define a hole 122 for hanging dustpan 100 on, for example, a hanging rack in a store or a rack in a home.
Dustpan 100 may comprise incline 118 and element 120 that extend along a bottom edge of the open front face 107 of the base 102, which may be inclined with respect to base 102. Element 120, which functions as an interface between the incline 118 and the surface that is being cleaned, may be made of a rubber or another suitable material. Incline 118 and/or element 120 may allow for dustpan 100 to be substantially flush with a surface for ease of collecting dust and debris. Element 120 may be removable. Incline 118 and element 120 may facilitate sweeping of dust and debris with a broom or brush from the surface into the dustpan 100.
In an example embodiment, the bottom portions of rear-side wall 106, right-side wall 104 and left-side wall 108 collectively form a peripheral lip or flange 105 around the rear, right and left sides of an upper surface 103 of the base 102 of dustpan 100. Dustpan 100 may comprise tab receptacles 110, 112, and 114 formed in the flange 105 at the edges of the base 102. Tab receptacles may be configured for receiving tabs 802, 804, and 806 of a dustpan pad 800 as shown in
In example embodiments, dustpan pad 800 may comprise an adhesive layer 808 so that dust and debris that is, for example, swept onto the adhesive layer 808 may stick to the adhesive layer 808. Dust and debris may be swept onto the adhesive layer 808. The adhesive layer 808 may therefore be made of an appropriate stickiness (adhesion) for collecting dust and debris. For example, adhesive layer 808 may have an adhesion of a minimum of 20 oz/in or up to an average of 30 oz/in. Adhesive layer 808 may further be an alternative level of stickiness. Once contaminated with dust and debris, the top adhesive sheet 812 of dustpan pad 800 to which dust or debris or both may be adhered to may be removed and disposed.
With reference to
In some examples, one or more of the plurality of sheets 812, 814 may be coated with an adhesion prophylactic on an opposite facing surface (for example a bottom side surface) than adhesive layer 808 to limit a top dustpan sheet from sticking to the sheet below it. For example, top sheet 812 may be coated on its bottom surface with adhesion prophylactic 815 to limit the degree of adhesion of top sheet 812 to lower sheet 814. This allows for ease of removal of top sheet 812 from lower sheet 814.
In some examples, with further reference to
Upon removal of the top adhesive sheet 812, at least one unsoiled adhesive sheet 814 may remain and may be removably attached to the base 102 of the dustpan 100 or to a bottom rigid sheet layer of the dustpan pad 800.
In example embodiments, a bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 may be thicker and/or more rigid than each of the adhesive sheets 812, 814 and may be made of a material such as cardboard or another suitable material. A thicker or more rigid material may provide added support to dustpan pad 800 as it adheres to base 102 of dustpan 100.
In some examples, both a bottom side of the bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 and a top side of the bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 are coated with adhesive layers 808. The bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 may therefore adhere to base 102 of dustpan 100 and also to the adhesive sheet above it (for example sheet 814).
The dustpan 100 may comprise handle 116, which may include a hinge at the connection of the handle to the base. The base 102 may be attached to one end of the handle 116. According to an embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be an upright dustpan, wherein the handle 116 may be greater than one foot in length and may be held by a user in a standing position. According to an alternative embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be a handheld dustpan, wherein the handle 116 is less than one foot in length and shaped to be received in a human hand. The dustpan 100 and the dustpan pad 800 and/or adhesive sheets 812, 814 may be of varying shapes and sizes such that the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814 may be configured to fit within the base 102 of the dustpan 100.
According to an embodiment, the sheet pad 800 is an adhesive sheet 812 that can be removed from dustpan base 102 and replaced after each use. According to a further embodiment, the sheet pad 800 includes a stack of individually removable adhesive sheets 812, 814. The number of adhesive sheets may be chosen according to the thickness of the adhesive sheets and the configuration of the base 102 such that the thickness of the plurality of adhesive sheets in aggregate does not unduly impede the collection of dust or debris into the dustpan. For example, the stack could include between 2 to 10 adhesive sheets 812, 814 that each include an adhesive layer 808 on a top side thereof, secured to a bottom, rigid sheet layer 820 that has adhesive layers 808 on both its top and bottom sides.
The dustpan 100 may be constructed from lightweight materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity. According to an embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable lightweight material known to a skilled person that would provide sufficient strength and rigidity.
In an example embodiment of use of the dustpan 100, the dustpan 100 may be used with a removable adhesive sheet pad 800 to collect dust or debris or both. According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet pad 800 may be removably attached to the base 102 of the dustpan 100. Dust or debris or both may be swept into the dustpan 100 onto an exposed or top adhesive sheet 812 of the adhesive sheet pad 800. Next, the exposed adhesive sheet 812, 814 with dust or debris or both now adhered to it may be removed and discarded, exposing a lower adhesive sheet 814. The tab 802, 804, 806a/b may be pulled by a user to remove the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814 from the dustpan 100.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive sheet pad 800 may comprise a bottom sheet layer 820. The bottom sheet layer 820 may include a first side (e.g. bottom) and a second side (e.g. top), wherein the first side is positioned against the upper surface 103 of the base 102 of the dustpan 100 and the second side is positioned proximally to the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814. The first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 may attach to the base 102 of the dustpan 100 by adhesive as noted above, or by any other suitable means known in the art including hook and loop fasteners or clips. According to an embodiment, the first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 of the adhesive sheet pad 800 may attach to the upper surface 103 of the base 102 of the dustpan 100 using hook and loop fasteners such that a hook fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 and a loop fastener is secured to the upper surface 103 of base 102 of the dustpan 100, or vice versa.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
Sticky pad cartridge holder 1600 is further disclosed in
An alternative example dustpan 1800 is disclosed in
Dustpan 1800 may further include an angled surface 1804, which is angled with respect to pad 1802 to allow for sweeping of dust and debris onto pad 1802.
Further example embodiments will be disclosed with reference to
According to an example embodiment shown in
According to a further embodiment as shown in
The bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 may further comprise at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 that may be removably attached to the open face of the bases 1050, 2050. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be used to collect dust and debris swept into the dustpans 1000, 2000. Once contaminated with dust and debris, the top adhesive sheet of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 to which dust or debris or both may be adhered to may be removed and disposed. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may also include a non-adhesive tab extending outwardly away from an edge of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The non-adhesive tab may be used as a grip for selectively removing the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 that has become contaminated with dust and debris. Upon removal of the top adhesive sheet 1250, 2250, at least one unsoiled adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may remain or a further adhesive sheet may be removably attached to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 before further use of the dustpan.
The dustpans 1000, 2000 may comprise handles 1300, 2300, which may include a hinge at the connection of the handle to the base. The bases 1050, 2050 may be attached to one end of the handles 1300, 2300. According to an embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be upright dustpans, wherein the handles 1300, 2300 may be greater than one foot in length and may be held by a user in a standing position. According to a further embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be handheld dustpans, wherein the handles are less than one foot in length and shaped to be received in the human hand. The dustpans 1000, 2000 and the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be of varying shapes and sizes such that the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may fit within the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 is a single adhesive sheet that is replaced after each use. According to a further embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 is a plurality of adhesive sheets where the number of adhesive sheets chosen is influenced by the thickness of the adhesive sheets and the configuration of the bases 1050, 2050 such that the thickness of the plurality of adhesive sheets in aggregate does not unduly impede the collection of dust or debris into the dustpan.
The dustpans 1000, 2000 may be constructed from lightweight materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity. According to an embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable lightweight material known to a skilled person that would provide sufficient strength and rigidity.
In use, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be used with a removable adhesive sheet to collect dust or debris or both. According to an embodiment, at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be removably attached to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. Dust or debris or both may be swept into the dustpans 1000, 2000 onto one of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. Next, the adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 with dust or debris or both adhered to it may be removed and discarded. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may include a non-adhesive tab extending outwardly away from an edge of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The non-adhesive tab may be pulled by a user to remove the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 from the dustpans 1000, 2000.
According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may comprise a bottom layer. The bottom layer may include a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is proximal to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. The bases 1050, 2050 may include a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is proximal to the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may attach to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 by any suitable means known in the art including hook and loop fasteners, clips and adhesives. According to an embodiment, the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may attach to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 using hook and loop fasteners such that a hook fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 and a loop fastener is secured to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000, or a loop fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 and a hook fastener is secured to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000.
The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are intended to be examples only. The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms. Alterations, modifications and variations to the disclosure may be made without departing from the intended scope of the present disclosure. While the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a specific number of elements/components, the systems, devices and assemblies could be modified to include additional or fewer of such elements/components. For example, while any of the elements/components disclosed may be referenced as being singular, the embodiments disclosed herein could be modified to include a plurality of such elements/components. Selected features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments not explicitly described. All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges are also disclosed. The subject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,356 filed Mar. 6, 2017 and entitled Dust Pan with Removable Adhesive Sheet.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CA2018/050264 | 3/6/2018 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62467356 | Mar 2017 | US |