Electrostatic mop, cleaning device and a method for collecting particles

Abstract

A dust mop or cleaning device and a method for collecting dust and/or other particles are provided. The dust mop and/or cleaning device emits an electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge polarizes dust and/or other particles to be attracted to an opposite polarity. The dust mop and/or cleaning device attracts the oppositely charged particles. The dust mop and/or cleaning device restrains dust and/or other particles until after the dust mop is deactivated. The dust mop may be used to collect dust and/or particles from hard-to-reach areas.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A mop comprising: 
 a handle;    a mat connected to the handle wherein the mat has a first side which conducts an electric charge; and    a power source electrically connected to the mat wherein the power source transmits the electrical charge to the first side of the mat wherein the first side polarizes a particle and attracts the particle to the first side.    
     
     
         2 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a switch connected to the power source wherein the switch activates the power source.  
 
     
     
         3 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a covering on the mat wherein the particle attaches to the covering.  
 
     
     
         4 . The mop of  claim 1  wherein the power source is a battery.  
     
     
         5 . The mop of  claim 1  wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         6 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an indicator which signals that the mat is conducting the electrical charge.  
 
     
     
         7 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a covering on the first side of the mat wherein the covering contains a material which conducts the electrical charge.  
 
     
     
         8 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a motion detecting mechanism electrically connected to the power source wherein the motion detecting mechanism activates the power source.  
 
     
     
         9 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a light source connected to the mat.  
 
     
     
         10 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a conductive area on the first side of the mat.  
 
     
     
         11 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a vacuum system drawing air through the first side of the mat to attract dust particles wherein the first side of the mat has a perforation.  
 
     
     
         12 . The mop of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a charging station having magnetic coils to charge the power source.  
 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a surface that conducts an electrical charge; and    a motion detecting mechanism electrically connected to the surface wherein the surface conducts the electrical charge when the motion detecting mechanism detects movement and further wherein particles are attracted to the surface.    
     
     
         14 . The cleaning device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a power source connected to the surface wherein the power source transmits the electrical charge to the surface.  
 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a covering on the surface wherein the particles attach to the covering.  
 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a grid on the surface wherein the grid has an area which conducts the electrical charge.  
 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a light source attached to the handle which emits a light when the surface conducts the electrical charge.  
 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning device of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a timer connected to the surface.  
 
     
     
         19 . A method for collecting particles, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a surface wherein the surface has a first side;    electrically charging the first side of the surface;    placing the surface adjacent to the particles to provide the particles with an electrical charge; and    attracting the particles to the surface.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of: 
 activating the charging of the surface from movement of a mat.  
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of: 
 covering the surface with a material to which the particles attach when the particles are attracted to the surface.  
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of: 
 providing an indication to identify that the surface is charged.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of: 
 selecting a period of time after which the surface no longer receives the electrical charge.