Cleaning device and method of using same

Abstract

A cleaning device including a handle and a pan is provided. The pan has a smooth, continuous inner surface which facilitates cleaning. A ramp portion of a base of the pan has a transitional angle of inclination which facilitates pulling waste into the pan. Spacers and supports are provided to ensure that the front ramp remains in contact with a surface when a downward force is applied to the pan. A method is also provided which, using the aforementioned cleaning device, reduces the time necessary to remove a hazard on a surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A receptacle for material, the receptacle comprising: 
 a base configured to rest on a surface, the base having a containment portion for holding material and a ramp portion along which material being moved from the surface to the containment portion can be slid,    wherein the ramp portion has a top surface with a first angle of inclination at a first location that is less than a second angle of inclination at a second location located rearward of the first location, and wherein the first and second angles of inclination are measured with respect to the surface.    
     
     
         2 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an indentation in a rear wall of the base, the indentation projecting into an interior of the receptacle and being configured to receive at least a front portion of a user's foot.    
     
     
         3 . The receptacle of  claim 2 , wherein an upper portion of the indentation is configured to be a handle.  
     
     
         4 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of inclination of the top surface continuously increases from the first angle to the second angle.  
     
     
         5 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein the first angle is no greater than about 20°, and wherein the second angle is no greater than about 40°.  
     
     
         6 . The receptacle of  claim 1 , wherein a third angle of inclination at a third location on the top surface is less than the first angle of inclination, the third angle of inclination being disposed forward of the first location.  
     
     
         7 . The receptacle of  claim 6 , wherein the first angle is no greater than about 20°, wherein the second angle is no greater than about 40°, and wherein the third angle is no greater than about 15°.  
     
     
         8 . The receptacle of  claim 6 , wherein the ramp portion includes a blade, and wherein the third location is on the blade.  
     
     
         9 . The receptacle of  claim 8 , wherein the blade is detachably connected to a front part of a sloped portion of the ramp portion.  
     
     
         10 . A receptacle for receiving material, the receptacle comprising: 
 a base comprising: 
 a containment portion; and  
 a ramp portion comprising: 
 a sloped portion; and  
 a flexible portion having greater flexibility than the sloped portion and configured to contact a surface from which material will be removed; and  
 
   at least one spacer connected to the ramp portion and configured to maintain a rear part of the flexible portion at a predetermined height relative to the surface from which material will be removed so as to inhibit a front edge of the flexible portion from losing contact with the surface when a downward force is applied to the receptacle by a user.    
     
     
         11 . The receptacle of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an indentation in a rear wall of the receptacle, the indentation being configured to receive at least a front portion of a user's foot.    
     
     
         12 . The receptacle of  claim 11 , wherein an upper portion of the indentation is configured to be a handle.  
     
     
         13 . The receptacle of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible portion includes a detachable blade.  
     
     
         14 . The receptacle of  claim 10 , wherein a first of said at least one spacer is positioned at an end of the flexible portion and a second of said at least one spacer is positioned at another end of the flexible portion.  
     
     
         15 . The receptacle of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second spacers has a lowest portion which is substantially coplanar with at least one pad on a rear of the base.  
     
     
         16 . A receptacle for material, the receptacle comprising: 
 a base comprising: 
 a containment portion; and  
 a ramp portion comprising: 
 a sloped portion; and  
 a contact portion configured to contact a surface from which material is to be removed, the contact portion being formed of flexible material;  
 
   at least one support connected to the ramp portion and configured to inhibit the contact portion from losing contact with the surface from which material is to be removed, when a downward force is applied to the receptacle.    
     
     
         17 . The receptacle of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 an indentation in a rear wall of the receptacle, the indentation being configured to receive at least a front portion of a user's foot.    
     
     
         18 . The receptacle of  claim 17 , wherein an upper portion of the indentation is adapted to function as a handle.  
     
     
         19 . The receptacle of  claim 16 , wherein a first of said at least one support is positioned at one end of the contact portion, wherein a second of said at least one support is positioned at an opposite end of the contact portion.  
     
     
         20 . A receptacle for material, the receptacle comprising: 
 a base having a containment portion for holding material and a ramp portion along which material being moved to the containment portion can be slid, the ramp portion having a blade and a sloped portion;    a first sidewall connected to a first side of the base; and    a second sidewall connected to a second side of the base,    wherein the blade is detachably connected to the sloped portion and is substantially recessed within the sidewalls.    
     
     
         21 . The receptacle accordingly to  claim 20 , wherein substantially all of the blade is between the first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         22 . The receptacle of  claim 20 , wherein at least about 50% of the blade is between the first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         23 . The receptacle of  claim 20 , wherein at least about 95% of the blade is between the first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         24 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a receptacle for material, the receptacle including a base, a first sidewall connected to a first side of the base, and a second sidewall connected to a second side of the base, wherein the first and second sidewalls have substantially continuous and uninterrupted surfaces; and    a handle pivotably connected to the first and second sidewalls of the receptacle.    
     
     
         25 . The cleaning device of  claim 24 , wherein the base and the sides are integrally formed.  
     
     
         26 . The cleaning devices of  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle further comprises: 
 an indentation in a rear wall of the receptacle, the indentation being configured to receive a front portion of a user's foot.    
     
     
         27 . The cleaning device of  claim 24 , wherein handle includes first and second engagement members connected to respective outer surfaces of the first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         28 . The cleaning device of  claim 24 , wherein the handle comprises a hanging implement by which the cleaning device is adapted to be hanged.  
     
     
         29 . A method of reducing the time necessary to remove a hazard on a surface, the method comprising the steps of: 
 storing, in an area prone to hazards, a receptacle for a hazard and a tool for moving a hazard into the receptacle;    upon occurrence of a hazard, using the tool to move the hazard into the receptacle.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the step of maintaining the orientation of the receptacle while using the tool to move the hazard into the receptacle by placing a front portion of a user's foot in an indentation in a rear wall of the cleaning device; and pressing downward with the front portion of the user's foot thereby forcing the receptacle against the surface.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the hazard is at least one of liquid, moisture, broken glass, foodstuffs, and animal feces.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the area prone to hazards is selected from the group consisting of a grocery store, a hospital, a movie theater, an amusement park, a cafeteria, a restaurant, a stable, and a stadium.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tool comprises a shaft connected to a cleaning member.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the cleaning member comprises a pad.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the pad is folded rubber.