This invention relates to methods and apparatus for cleaning smooth surfaces of personal devices such as cell phone screens, eye glasses, and electronic screens and the like.
Microfiber cloth has been developed for cleaning smooth surfaces. Examples of products in which such surfaces are found include eyeglasses, cell phones, MP3 players, computers, televisions and other articles with display screens. A microfiber cloth is designed to attract dust and remove oil on contact with the glass surface.
It is a common practice to use shirttails and the like clothing to casually and occasionally clean such surfaces of personal devices. However convenient this may be, this method is often unsatisfactory because the fabric of clothing is unsuitable to clean such surfaces, spreading contaminants instead of removing oil and dust.
What is needed is an effective and convenient method and device for casual cleaning of glass surfaces.
According to the invention, a piece of microfiber cloth is attached to an article of fabric having another purpose, such as an article of regularly worn clothing. The attachment sites include a shirt tail, a necktie, pants, pockets, lapels, scarves or other clothing article that is regularly worn, making the microfiber cloth more accessible and ready to use for cleaning glass surfaces of personal devices. Microfiber cloth is attached to clothing in convenient and unobtrusive locations using an attachment medium, such as a heat-activated adhesive interlayer or iron-on cloth piece. The cloth piece is preferably shaped to fit the shape of the clothing area that serves as a support base or backing.
In a particular embodiment, the microfiber cloth is covered by a protective flap or disposed in a protective pocket.
The article of clothing is transformed into a cleaning cloth when the microfiber piece is attached to the article of clothing.
The method of attachment is preferably by means of a heat activated adhesive sheet, but other attachment means, such as thread are contemplated.
The invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description in connection with accompanying drawings.
It is conventional wisdom that a microfiber cloth cannot be ironed because of the risk of clogging the split fibers. To address and overcome this problem, the iron-on sheet 16 and the substrate 14 are placed between the heat source (hot iron) and the microfiber cloth 12, the assembly is placed on a cold heat sink, and the heat source is applied at the lowest effective heat setting for the shortest effective time. Alternatively, heat is applied only to the margins of the cloth sheet and its heat-sensitive backing, leaving the untreated center area of sufficient size for the cleaning function. The untreated center area can be protected by a layer of heat-insulative material that is smaller than the extent of the side margins of the iron-on attachment. While sewing is an alternative, the preferred embodiment is as an iron-on attachment.
Articles to which a microfiber sheet 12 may be attached flush to provide a cleaning medium for screens and the like include shirt tails, scarves, sweaters, pants, ties, gloves, purses, lapels, bags or other articles and clothing that are regularly worn or carried, making the microfiber cloth more accessible and ready to use.
Adhesives and attachment media that could be used include, but are not limited to: Iron-on adhesive tape, liquid iron-on adhesive, superglue, hot glue, epoxy, liquid cement, sewn thread, etc. It is preferred and has been determined that the iron-on adhesive tape is preferred for convenience and longevity.
The invention has been explained with reference to specific embodiments. The claims are incorporated into the description of the invention. Other embodiments will be evident to those of skill in the art. It is therefore not intended that the invention be limited, except as indicated by the appended claims.
The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional Application No. 61/568,245, filed on Dec. 8, 2011, titled “Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Clothing Article and Method of Assembly,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1339330 | Goelkel | May 1920 | A |
1772575 | Costanzo | Aug 1930 | A |
2204947 | Apfelbaum | Jun 1940 | A |
2233746 | Potter | Mar 1941 | A |
4525411 | Schmidt | Jun 1985 | A |
4854449 | Fitzhugh | Aug 1989 | A |
5083661 | Burwell | Jan 1992 | A |
5142703 | Basinger et al. | Sep 1992 | A |
5150504 | Cohen | Sep 1992 | A |
5694659 | Merrion | Dec 1997 | A |
6115841 | Thompson et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6233741 | Loree et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6638611 | Seth | Oct 2003 | B2 |
6849135 | Jones | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6881273 | Oberman | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6977113 | Kody et al. | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7178193 | Jones | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7413614 | Jones | Aug 2008 | B2 |
7431983 | Amano | Oct 2008 | B2 |
7743456 | McDonnell | Jun 2010 | B2 |
8060969 | Jones | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8151399 | Jones | Apr 2012 | B2 |
D658834 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659320 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659321 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659322 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659323 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659324 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659325 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659326 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659327 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659328 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659329 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659330 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659331 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D659332 | Davis | May 2012 | S |
D661443 | Davis | Jun 2012 | S |
D661444 | Davis | Jun 2012 | S |
D661445 | Davis | Jun 2012 | S |
D661446 | Davis | Jun 2012 | S |
8490238 | Sohn | Jul 2013 | B2 |
8499406 | Fava | Aug 2013 | B2 |
20020000455 | Condliff et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20020155234 | Seth | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20030121114 | Waite | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20060168755 | Langerak | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20070135011 | Amano | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20090235478 | England | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20120090121 | Phillips et al. | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120315473 | Chin | Dec 2012 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61568245 | Dec 2011 | US |