Stain removing device

Abstract

A device for treating a stain is disclosed. The device includes a scrubber which has a backing with an inner surface and an outer surface. Extending from the outer surface of the backing is a plurality of scrubbing protrusions. Fastened to the inner surface of the backing is an absorber such as a sponge. The backing and scrubbing protrusions may be molded from a flexible, resilient material, with the scrubbing protrusions being conical in shape with rounded ends. The absorber may be compressed to remove liquid held therein by folding the device about itself such that the backing is over the absorber and applying pressure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 an absorber;    a scrubber including a backing with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of scrubbing protrusions extending from the outer surface of the backing; and    wherein the absorber is attached to the inner surface of the backing.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the backing is resiliently flexible, whereby the apparatus is capable of being folded about itself such that the absorber is squeezed to remove liquids held therein.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the backing is rubber or flexible elastomer.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are manufactured from a resilient material.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are rubber or flexible elastomer.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the backing and the plurality of scrubbing protrusions are manufactured from a single mold.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are coneshaped.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions have a rounded endpoint.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are hollow.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the absorber is a sponge.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the absorber is bonded to the scrubber by an adhesive.  
     
     
         12 . A method of treating a stain in a fabric, including a flexible scrubber attached to a sponge, the method comprising: 
 agitating the fabric with the flexible scrubber,    inverting the scrubber, and    blotting the stain with the sponge, thereby treating the stain.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including compressing the sponge by folding the flexible scrubber about the sponge to remove the liquid from the sponge.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further including the step of applying a cleaner to the stain prior to scrubbing the fabric with the flexible scrubber.  
     
     
         15 . A device for removing pet stains, comprising: 
 a sponge;    a scrubber including a backing with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of scrubbing protrusions extending from the outer surface of the backing;    the backing being flexible and resilient;    the scrubbing protrusions being flexible and resilient, and having rounded endpoints;    the backing and the scrubbing protrusions being of unitary construction; and    wherein the sponge is attached to the inner side of the backing.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are substantially conical.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions have a base diameter of approximately 5 mm, and a crown diameter of approximately 3 mm.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the distance between the centers of the scrubbing protrusions is approximately 9 mm.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are disposed in rows and columns, and the angle between the rows and columns is approximately 90 degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the scrubbing protrusions are disposed in rows and columns, and the angle between the rows and columns is approximately 73 degrees.